World longest footpath Walking and Climbing World longest footpath If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. Posts 24 In our pub quiz tonight one of the questions was "What is the longest footpath in the world?" We thought it was the Pacific Crest Trail but the answer was the Appalachian trail. Is this the correct answer? Posts 2,415 No. The PCT is longer than the AT. And the Continental Divide Trail is longer than either of them. However as far as I know the longest trail is the 16,110km Trans Canada Trail. Posts 3,909 I thought it was the one running from Alaska to the far tip of Argentina. Some 12,000 miles. Posts 8,198 The AT IS the worlds longest trail if you include recent extentions to the original trail.

The idea of the Appalachian Trail was to follow the entire route of the Appalation Mountains - which run up the eastern side of the USA, but then continue through Canada before swinging east under the Atlantic and joining up with the mountains of northern Europe. The most well known part runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Katahdin in Maine - adistance of 2160 miles. Recently however it was extended across into Canad, through New Brunswick and along the Gaspe Peninsula. This adds a further 646 miles to the northern end of what is now called the International Appalachian Trail. The Trail is also being extended south from Georgia into Alabama. The latest proposals have been for the most controversial extention, which takes the trail through parts of Scotland and Scandinavia. Posts 8,198 I've just done a quick reference check, and the AT now runs from Key West in Florida to Cap Gaspe in Canada, a total of 4417 miles or 7109 Km. No news on the European extention at the moment, but I'm sure I rtecall either Trail or TGO mentioning this a few months back.

Posts 8,198 The Trans Canada Trail, which goes through every province in Canada will be over 18,000 KM and therefore the longest continuous trail, but is still in the process of building. The plan is have the main trunk finished by 2010. So at present the AT still retains the title of longest trail. HTH Posts 3,435 But Dave, if the AT goes under the ATLANTIC, does't that make it a bit difficult to do as a continuous trail? Posts 8,198 It does rather, but the existing continuous International Appalachian Trail from Florida to Cap Gaspe is all continuous and is presently the longest trail - until the Trans Canada Trail is finished. Posts 2,415 I think you'll find that the Appalachian Trail was originally intended to follow the Appalachian Mountains in the USA and that the trail still is from Springer Mountain to Katahdin. Anyone hiking the AT follows the trail between those two points. Of course trails can be extended as long as there's enough land. I walked from the northern end of the Continental Divide Trail through the Canadian Rockies to the Yukon and there's now a Great Divide Trail following part of that route.

However the CDT still runs from Mexico to the Canadian Border, if we are talking about officially designated trails, which I presume we are given the original question. Posts 8,198 I agree to a point Chris. Unfortunately it has been found that the Appalachian Mountains expend further than was originally thought. In fact there are traces of Appalachian origin as far away as Morrocco. Obviously there is a distinct difference between the Appalachian Trail and the International Appalachian Trail. We then have the question regarding who "officially designates" a trail. Whichever way you look at it the answer was wrong. Either the CDT is longest or the International Appalachian Trail is longest, and not the traditional AT. Posts 2,415 The PCT is longer than the AT too. In terms of designation the AT, PCT and CDT are National Scenic Trails, a government designation, just as the South West Way and the Pennine Way are here. With regard to geological formations you could argue that the West Highland Way should be part of the Appalachian Trail.

The Appalachians and the Scottish, Cumbrian and Scandinavian mountains are the remnants of the Caledonian mountain chain which split apart with the Atlantic Ocean filling the gap (to put it very crudely). How about a Caledonian Trail? The Trans Canada Trail is longer than the International Appalachian Trail. Neither trail exists in its entirety as a trail, though both can be hiked. Neither is a trail in the sense that the AT is. Which is the World's Longest can-of-worms?? ;o) Posts 8,198 But that definition of designation restricts a trail to within the boundaries of a single country. The International AT from Florida to the eastern Canadian coast is a logical and geological trail that is accepted and at least part funded by both the USA and Canada. Apparently the IAT does now exist in its entirity between these points. Strangely when in The Great Smoky Mountains a couple of years ago I saw signs for both the AT and the IAT. As for the continuation of the Appalachians to encompass the West Highland Way....yes I agree entirely, as do the IAT Organisation who are proposing such a continuation.

The Trans Canada Trail is due to be complete by 2010, which will then make it the longest continuous designated trail. Perhaps there needs to be an International Trail Designation Committee lol. Either way the question master got it wrong. Posts 8,198 Having argued the point statistically, I would point out that Chris Townsend is one of the worlds leading long distance trail walkers and I repect his judgement immensely. This is specifically one of his areas of expertise and is not one of mine - I'm just going by the claims of published amterial. It does, however, make for an interesting conversation that takes in politics, geography and geology. Posts 2,415 It is interesting, at least to me. I'm going on published material too. I haven't hiked either the AT or IAT. The Appalachian Trail Conference website says that the IAT is "a trail from Abol Bridge (south of Baxter State Park in Maine) to Cap Gaspï¿½ in Quebec". IAT.org gives the AT and IAT as separate trails in its list of thru-hikers and that the IAT "connects with the Appalachian Trail in Maine atop Mt.

Katahdin in Baxter State Park, or alternatively at Baxter Park's southern border at Rainbow Bridge". The founder of the IAT, Dick Anderson, says "I visualized a trail that would connect two countries and cultures, link a state and two provinces and traverse two major watersheds--the Gulf of Maine and the Gulf of St. Lawrence." There's no mention of a southern extension to the AT. I know hikers who have linked the Florida Trail with the AT but they've done a great deal of road walking. The AT was the original long distance trail and there is a great deal of history and tradition linked to it. I think it's rather like the Munros. Logically the AT would run the whole length of the Appalachians. Logically Scottish mountain lists would start at 500 or 1,000 metres (maybe 750 metres but certainly not 914.4 metres). However walking long distance trails and peak bagging aren't logical activities anyway and both the AT and the Munros are part of the traditions and history of walking. I'd rather keep that tradition and history and have any extension to the AT or new Scottish mountain lists given new names and treated as separate to the originals.

All this said, when it comes down to actual walking I think the purpose of trails is to make access and navigation easier and to help conserve wild areas. By wanderingdave in forum Gear Replies: 41 By Fata Morgana in forum Article talkback Replies: 0 By Ash in forum Walking and Climbing Replies: 14 By EricDavies in forum Soapbox Replies: 32 By Billy Casper in forum Starting out? Replies: 40 Top 10 Longest Hiking Trails in the World - Adventure Strong Adventure Strong 4 Comments Top 10 Longest Hiking Trails in the World When people talk about the longest hiking trails in the world, they often think of the Appalachian Trail (AT). Why wouldn’t they? It’s an American classic. But it’s not the only long one out there. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the longest hiking trail in the world is the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) on the West Coast of the United States. However, that title is only temporary as the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) will take the record once the trail is completed.

I’m not entirely sure how they judge which trail is the longest for that record because the American Discovery Trail is longer. My guess is it’s because the ADT combines with paved roads from time to time. This list of long-distance hiking trails does not include trails in the US. Please see the link below if you want to read about those. Wondering where the CDT, PCT, and AT are? Long-distance hikes in America . Mountains in Italy World’s 10 Longest Trails This list is intended to help you think more globally about epic hiking trips. Like I mentioned above, these are the longest trails in the world outside of the US. Trans Canada Trail (Canada) – 14,912 miles when completed (24,000 km) – The Trans Canada is a network of recreational trails that stretches from coast to coast. [ Learn More ] Grand Italian Trail (Italy) – 3,700 miles (5,954 km) – The Sentiero Italia or Grand Italian Trail covers the entire length of our favorite boot shaped country.

Hokkaidō Nature Trail (Japan) – 2,849 miles (4,585 km) – (being planned) Winding around the island of Hokkaidō, this trail brings you to hot springs and tall volcanoes with views of the ocean. Tōhoku Nature Trail (Japan) – 2,718 miles (4,374 km) – Just south of Hokkaidō, on the northern part of the main Honshu island, is the Tōhoku Nature Trail. It’s kind of a giant loop with various branches off it. Chubu Hokuriku Nature Trail (Japan) – 2,504 miles (4,029 km) – The Chubu Hokuriku is in the center of the country, to the West and NW of Tokyo. Enjoy mountain and coastal views along this trail. Kinki Nature Trail (Japan) – 2,045 miles (3,291 km) – South of the Chubu Hokuriku trail is the Kinki trail which loops and winds around Osaka and Kyoto. The trail follows much of the coastline on either side of the island.

Te Araroa Trail (New Zealand) – 1,894 miles (3,048 km) – This cross-country trek runs from the northern tip of the North Island all the way to the southern tip of the South Island. [ Learn More ] Kyushu Nature Trail (Japan) – 1,607 miles (2,586 km) – Explore the coast and mountains of Kyushu, the ends of the trail don’t connect but it’s mostly a loop with some off-shoots. [ Learn More ] Camino de Santiago de Compostella (France & Spain) – 1,570+ miles (2,526+ km) – There are multiple locations to begin this trek, but they all lead to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, in north Spain. It’s not intended for recreational hiking as it’s traditionally a pilgrimage trail, but you could still walk it to appreciate the history and see Spain.

[ Learn More ] The Sultans Trail (Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey) – 1,400 miles (2,253 km) – Experience a variety of cultures as you pass through 9 countries. The trail connects Vienna and Istanbul. [ Learn More ] The Camino de Santiago More Long Hiking Trails There is an impressive array of long-distance trails around the world. Here are a few more to consider. Chugoku Nature Trail (Japan) – 1,374 miles (2,211 km) – This trail includes Hiroshima and loops through the region. Great Himalayan Trail – High Route (Nepal) – 1,056 miles (1,700 km) – The High Route is a full-traverse and is estimated to take 156 days. The elevation is high, reaching over 6,000 meters, so be prepared for strenuous hiking.

[ Learn More ] Via Francigena (UK, France, Italy) – 1,056 miles (1,700 km) – Like the Camino de Santiago, this is an old pilgrimage route from either France or Canterbury, England to Rome. [ Learn More ] Great Himalayan Trail – Low Route (Nepal) – 932 miles (1,500 km) – The full-traverse of the low route should take about 90+ days. The max elevation is over 4,000 meters, so it’s not as intense as the High Route. Although, like all the routes in Nepal, the scenery will be breathtaking. [ Learn More ] Trans-Panama Trail (Panama) – 700 miles (1,126 km) – Stretching from border-to-border, the Trans-Panama Trail will take you to volcanic mountains and lowland jungle. [ Learn More ] South West Coast Path National Trail (United Kingdom) – 630 miles (1,013 km) – The SW Coast Path is the longest National Trail in the UK. This is the perfect hike for those who love rugged coastlines.

[ Learn More ] Bibbulmun Track (Australia) – 621 miles (1,1000 km) – Stretching from Kalamunda to Albany, the Bibbulmun Track passes through forest then follows the cliffs along the south coast. [ Learn More ] Israel National Trail or Shvil Yisrael (Israel) – 620 miles (997 km) – Explores Israel’s unique scenery as you traverse the country. [ Learn More ] The Baekdu-Daegan Trail (South Korea) – 470 miles (756 km) – The trail covers the entire Korean peninsula, although the section in North Korea is obviously inaccessible. You can start near the DMZ, cross through scenic areas like Seoraksan all the way to the end at Cheonwangbong Peak in Jirisan National Park. [ Learn More ] Kom-Emine (Bulgaria) – 434 miles (700 km) – The Kom-Emine traverses Bulgaria, following the ridge line of Stara Planina. Some of the peaks reach over 2,000 meters.

[ Learn More ] The Sir Samuel and Lady Florence Baker Trail (South Sudan to Uganda) – 360 miles (579 km) – The trail follows the historic path taken by Sir Samuel and Lady Florence during the late 1800s. This trail will be open to both mountain bikers and hikers. Unfortunately, it’ll be open to 4×4 vehicles too at some point. The trail officially opens in 2014. [ Learn More ] Lycian Way (Turkey) – 316 miles (509 km) – The Lycian Way is just one of several 500km trails in Turkey. [ Learn More ] Snowman Trek (Bhutan) – 216 miles (347 km) – Considered by some to be the toughest trek in the world, the Snowman has 11 mountain passes with some reaching over 16,000 feet. [ Learn More ] Tour de Mont Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland) – 104 miles (167 km) – Circumnavigate Mont Blanc, passing through France, Italy, and Switzerland. [ Learn More ] Tour de Mont Blanc Thanks for reading!

Doesn’t it make you want to get outside and start hiking?! What trail do you want to hike? The Appalachian Trail is the longest continuous footpath in the world. A. True B. False Question and answer The Appalachian Trail is the longest continuous footpath in the world. A. True B. False A. True The Appalachian Trail is one of the longest continuously marked footpath in the world, measuring roughly 2180 miles in length. The Appalachian Trail is the longest continuous footpath in the world. A. True B. False New answers BRAINSTORM A. True The Appalachian Trail is one of the longest continuously marked footpath in the world, measuring roughly 2180 miles in length. Updated 92 days ago|10/19/2016 7:12:35 PM 1 Answer/Comment Awarding jobs for political purposes was called spoils system. Added 5/6/2012 9:41:33 AM This answer has been confirmed as correct, not copied, and helpful.

Confirmed by yumdrea [10/19/2016 7:12:36 PM] Updated 329 days ago|2/26/2016 2:40:05 AM 1 Answer/Comment TRUSTS refers to a group of companies that joined their stocks together and a central board determined prices, production costs, and could eliminate competition. Added 329 days ago|2/26/2016 2:40:05 AM This answer has been confirmed as correct, not copied, and helpful. Confirmed by jeifunk [2/26/2016 2:43:59 AM] Updated 318 days ago|3/7/2016 9:55:03 AM 1 Answer/Comment Tenement buildings were cramped apartments that were not sanitary. TRUE. Added 318 days ago|3/7/2016 6:36:42 AM This answer has been confirmed as correct, not copied, and helpful.

Confirmed by yumdrea [3/7/2016 9:55:04 AM] Weegy: A. Brooklyn Bridge (More) Question B. Allegheny Aqueduct Bridge was the first suspension bridge built by Roebling. Added 5/5/2012 2:46:43 PM This answer has been added to the Weegy Knowledgebase Weegy: A beam bridge is basically a rigid horizontal structure that rests on two piers, one located at each end of the bridge. A simple beam bridge is flat across and supported by two ends or abutments. (More) Question Weegy: 2x^2 - 10x + 8 = 2(x - 1)(x - 4) User: Factor p 2 - 2p - 24. (p - 3)(p + 8) (p + 6)(p - 4) (p - 6)(p + 4) ...

1/19/2017 9:59:50 AM| 2 Answers Weegy: The answer for x^2 + 29x - 30 is (x-1) (x+30) User: What is the product of (n - 8)(n + 2)? Weegy: (n + 8)(n - ... 1/19/2017 11:21:30 AM| 2 Answers 44 Fueled by one of the greatest economic booms in world history, China has been on an infrastructure-building spree of late. In 2010 and 2011, the country opened four new massive bridges, giving it claim to four of the five longest bridges in the world. China now boasts seven of the 10 longest bridges in the world, all built within the past decade. Such engineering feats were once mainly the province of the United States, which for much of the latter half of the 20th century boasted most of the longest bridges in the world.

Here are the 10 longest bridges in the U.S., and no matter how well traveled you are, four or five of these bridges will come as a surprise. (Distances are given as the total bridge length, including approaches on shore.) 10. General W.K. Wilson Jr. Bridge The two spans of the W.K. Wilson Bridge carry Interstate 65 across the Mobile River just northeast of Mobile, Alabama. Finished in 1978, the bridge stretches 6.08 miles and its architectural curves prompted locals to nickname it “The Dolly Parton Bridge.” 9. Sunshine Skyway Bridge Photo credit: Jeff Kinsey/Shutterstock.com This world-famous bridge stretches 6.51 miles across Tampa Bay between the St. Petersburg area and Terra Ceia, Florida. The current span was completed in 1987, replacing an earlier bridge that was heavily damaged in 1980 when a freighter collided with a support column, sending a quarter-mile of the bridge — and 11 vehicles — into the water 150 feet below. The incident claimed 35 lives. Given its picturesque, cable-stayed design, the Travel Channel ranked the bridge No.

3 on its list of Top 10 Bridges in the World. Sadly, in addition to drawing tourists, the bridge also is a popular site for suicide-prone individuals. More than 130 suicides have been confirmed, with many others suspected, and many would-be jumpers have been talked down from the bridge. 8. Seven-Mile Bridge Photo credit: Travel Bug/Shutterstock.com Part of the famous Overseas Highway connecting mainland Florida with the Keys, this 6.76-mile-long bridge carries U.S. 1 from Knight’s Key to Little Duck Key. The bridge is the movie star of structures on this list, with appearances in several films, including True Lies and License to Kill. Large portions of an adjacent bridge, finished in 1912, still stand. 7. San Mateo-Hayward Bridge Photo credit: Calbook Addict This 7-mile bridge, which crosses San Francisco Bay, is the only structure on this list west of Louisiana. Almost 93,000 vehicles a day take it between San Mateo and Alameda counties.

Opened in 1967, the bridge on California Route 92 was legendary for its rush-hour traffic snarls before being widened in 2003. 6. Jubilee Parkway The second bridge on this list in south Alabama, this 8-mile-long twin viaduct carrying Interstate 10 across Mobile Bay opened in 1978. As for the bridge’s moniker, Jubilee refers to a bizarre but much-celebrated local event when fish, crabs, shrimp and other sea creatures suddenly swarm into the shallow waters of Mobile Bay, and even crawl or slither their way onto land. 5. Bonnet Carre Spillway Bridge Photo credit: Ray Devlin The Bonnet Carre Spillway made national news in 2011, when it was opened to relieve catastrophic flooding on the Mississippi River. The 11-mile spillway bridge, in St. Charles Parrish, Louisiana, carries Interstate 10 and U.S. 61. 4.

Atchafalaya Basin Bridge Photo credit: Jane Doughnut The Atchafalaya Basin Bridge carries two spans of I-10 over the Atchafalaya River and swamp, the largest swamp in the United States. It connects Lafayette and Baton Rouge. Opened in 1973, it checks in at 18.2 miles and is longer than the No. 2 bridge on this list (see below) if measuring shore-to-shore. 3. Manchac Swamp Bridge Photo credit: Melanie Commander Thibodaux These twin structures carry Interstate 55 22.80 miles over the Manchac Swamp in southern Louisiana. It’s one of four bridges on this list located in the state of Louisiana, and several other bridges from the Pelican State almost qualified. 2. Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Photo credit: Kubina Not to be confused with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge further north, this bridge-tunnel structure was an engineering marvel when the first portion opened to traffic in 1964. At the time the American Society of Civil Engineers named it “One of the Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World,” and the bridge-tunnel remains an awe-inspiring journey for travelers.

Built with a combination of trestles, bridges, two tunnels, four artificial islands and a causeway, the bridge-tunnel connects Virginia Beach and Virginia’s Eastern Shore. A second above-water span opened in 1999. Just how long is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel? That’s a matter of debate among bridge buffs, as it is measured at 17.6 miles from shore to shore, although the CBBT Commission lists the total length as 23 miles, including approach roads, giving it the edge over the aforementioned Atchafalaya and Manchac swamp bridges, as their listed distances are mostly over water. 1. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Photo credit: Clint McMahan Finally, a bridge in Louisiana you’ve heard of, because it is world famous. Opened in 1956 — a second span was finished in 1969 — the causeway held the record for decades as the world’s longest bridge over water until China’s Jiaozhou Bay Bridge opened in June 2011.

Causeway officials were quick to point out that bridge’s length includes several ramps and other features that shouldn’t count, and after petitioning the Guinness Book of World Records, a new category was added: “Longest Bridge Over Water (Continuous).” The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway holds that record, at 23.87 miles. It remains a popular draw for New Orleans tourists who want to drive across the world’s longest bridge — even if that statement must now be qualified. The author didnt add any Information to his profile yet Share:  Tagged: Route 6: Longest Contiguous Highway in the United States | Go BIG or Go Home Go BIG or Go Home By Traci Suppa ( October 24, 2012 at 5:22 am) · Filed under guest post , Longest , Road trip , Roadside Attractions , Highway Sure, I hear the call of the open road every once in a while. It usually gets drowned out by other calls, like, “Mom, what’s for dinner?,” and “Mom, where’s my Princess Aurora dress…you know, the one that lights up?” So it was with great envy that I learned that writer Malerie Y.

Cohen, who I met at the ASJA conference this spring, took an extended road trip by herself. What’s more, she drove the longest continuous highway in the country. Her book, Stay on Route 6; Your Guide To all 3,652 Miles of Transcontinental US Route 6, provides both narrative and information on the points of interest she discovered. Weeks alone with just my thoughts, enjoying the scenery. Pinch me. We invited Malerie to share her story: Where we went, and who was coerced into going: I drove solo for 1 1/2 months (six weeks) across the country; 3,652 miles from Provincetown, MA to Long Beach, CA completely on US Route 6 – the longest contiguous highway in the United States. Why solo? No one can stand my snoring. WHY did you go there, exactly? As a travel writer, I was eager to follow one route complete across the USA and write a guidebook to this historic road. Initially, I typed “Longest Road In the USA” into Google, and up popped “US Route 6” as second only to US Route 20.

Route 6 was truncated in 1964 – it now officially ends in Bishop, CA and is currently 3,205 miles long. But it was once the longest American highway, and is still the longest CONTIGUOUS highway, as Route 20 breaks up through Yellowstone National Park. Okay, what was so cool about it? 1. Hardly anyone knows about it! Even folks within the 14 US Route 6 states have no idea it goes completely across the country; they think it’s a “state road.” 2. Jack Kerouac was going to take Route 6 – the “One Red Line” that went completely across the country – on his transcontinental road trip (“On the Road”), but found himself alone on a dark and stormy night near the Bear Mountain Bridge, found a ride to NYC and abandoned his “hearthside dream” to take one Great Line across the USA. Discovered in Lakewood, CO — Westernaires; a youth group that instills civic responsibility through horsemanship. This precision-riding team drills on summer weekdays at sunset with Rocky Mountains as backdrop. 3.

Historic Route 6 begins and ends in flamboyant, artsy, touristy, entertainment-rich oceanside towns: Provincetown, MA on the Atlantic Ocean and Long Beach, CA on the Pacific Ocean. What’s in between is a virtual time-line of American history. Revolutionary War sites in New England give way to pioneer homes in the plains and prairies of Iowa and Nebraska, and eventually to the stark silver and gold mining camps in Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California. 4. Route 6 travels through two towns called Brooklyn, and neither are in New York. It touches two oceans, runs along the shore of one Great Lake (Erie), crosses most of the country’s major rivers, traverses five state capitals, and climbs, exhilaratingly, up and over the Continental Divide. Off the grid in Nevada — Major’s Place; a tavern about 26 miles from the closest town, Tonopah. Full of antlers and deer heads, and plastered with dollar bills on the walls and ceiling left by guests from all over the world.

How it rated on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 = snoozefest, 10 = add to your bucket list): ★★★★★★★★★★ This was in fact one of my bucket list items; to cross the country while pretty much staying off the interstates. And so, I’d give it a 10. Driving it put me in touch with small towns, great people and big ideas that make this country great. Away from the politics, I found that as a nation, we have more in common than not. And most of these smaller towns, with “down home” restaurant and welcoming B&B’s really want visitors to see what they’re all about. I found it very heartening. And of course, there are plenty of surprises – sometimes in the middle of nowhere. Explore the Trail Explore the Trail Estates and Planned Gifts The Trail Is Waiting The Appalachian Trail is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, ranging from Maine to Georgia. Use the interactive map below to explore the Trail, find shelters, locate parking and more. ​Total Length of the A.T. ​Number of States the A.T.

Traverses Number of Visitors Per Year INTERACTIVE MAP You can explore many locations along the trail including shelters, A.T. Communities , Trail Clubs , and more! The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) interactive map, built cooperatively by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and National Park Service using ESRI's Arc GIS Online mapping technology. While useful, this map is for general reference purposes only and not intended to replace the more comprehensive and accurate A.T. printed hiking maps, available from the Ultimate Appalachian Trail Store. Launch the Interactive Map gis data Our GIS data sets were developed to provide a digital depiction of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail centerline and several of its trail features in an usable and easily transferable format to assist the A.T. staff, agency partners, and trail-maintaining clubs with land-management duties; to aid local planning agencies, telecommunications companies, and other groups with planning activities, such as siting telecommunication towers or other new developments that could have a substantial impact on the Appalachian Trail; and for scientific and educational use by universities and other groups. 12 oldest continuously inhabited cities | MNN - Mother Nature Network 12 oldest continuously inhabited cities These ancient cities have seen human civilization evolve.

876 Matera, Italy, has been settled in one way or another since the Paleolithic era. (Photo: canadastock/Shutterstock) Cities that have stood the test of time have more than just the scars of history; they show the influence — positive and negative — of human civilization. The oldest cities in the world boast beautiful architecture and amazing stories, yet remarkably few ancient cities stand today. There is some disagreement about the historical record, so we've added a few cities to this list because of the area's religious or cultural significance. Here's our list of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. 1. Damascus, Syria The Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria, is one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world. (Photo: milosk50/Shutterstock) Damascus is widely believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, with evidence of habitation dating back at least 11,000 years. Its location and persistence have made the city a nexus for civilizations come and gone. Today its metropolitan area is home to about 2.5 million people, and in 2008 it was named the Arab Capital of Culture. 2.

Jericho, West Bank A gondola lift travels over Jericho, West Bank. (Photo: Tamarah /Wikimedia Commons) Fortifications unearthed in Jericho dating back to 6800 B.C. confirm that it is the earliest known walled city, and evidence of other habitation in the area dates back about 11,000 years, which means it's a serious contender to be the world's oldest city. Incredibly, Jericho has remained inhabited — and dry — throughout history, despite its location well below sea level. This fact also makes the city the lowest permanently inhabited site on Earth. Today 20,000 people call Jericho home. 3. Aleppo, Syria Aleppo, shown here in 2010, may just be the oldest known human settlement in the world. (Photo: seyr-ü zafer /Wikimedia Commons) Evidence of habitation at the current site of Aleppo dates to about 8,000 years ago, but excavations at a site just 15.5 miles north of the city show the area was inhabited about 13,000 years ago.

That means Aleppo and its surrounding region comprise the oldest known human settlement in the world. The city is first mentioned in cuneiform tablets from roughly 5,000 years ago, where it's cited for its commercial and military proficiency. Because of its location between the Mediterranean Sea and Mesopotamia — it was also the end of the Silk Road that passed through central Asia and Mesopotamia — Aleppo was at the center of the ancient world. Today it remains the largest city in Syria. But the city has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2016, when the devastation of a four-year battle reached a climax. The fighting between government and rebel forces has killed thousands and forced thousands more to flee. The battle — one of the longest sieges in modern times — has caused catastrophic destruction to the Old City of Aleppo, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. 4. Athens, Greece A view of the Acropolis at sunset in Athens. (Photo: S.Borisov/Shutterstock) The ancient home of philosophy and the birthplace of Western civilization, Athens boasts a history of habitation that goes back long before the days of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.

The city has been continuously inhabited for at least 7,000 years. The oldest known human presence in Athens has been dated to between the 11th and 7th millennium B.C. Today it remains a sprawling metropolis, and its Acropolis still stands, overlooking the landscape. 5. Argos, Greece Argos is in competition with fellow Greek city Athens to be the considered the oldest city in Europe. (Photo: Karin Helene Pagter Duparc /Wikimedia Commons) An urban settlement for about the last 7,000 years, Argos is in competition with Athens to be the oldest city in Europe. The city has long been powerful — its commanding position in the fertile plain of Argolis has earned it a powerful position, though it has a history of neutrality. For instance, the city refused to fight or send supplies during the Greco-Persian Wars. Perhaps that's part of the reason the city has withstood the test of time. 6. Plovdiv, Bulgaria Plovdiv in Bulgaria has a rich history that dates back 6,000 years.

(Photo: Klearchos Kapoutsis /flickr) Plovdiv was originally a Thracian settlement known as Philippopolis to the Greeks, and was a major city for the Romans. It was also ruled by the Ottomans for a time. The beautiful city has a rich history dating back millennia , according to the Telegraph. Evidence of habitation dates back 6,000 years. Today it remains the second largest city in Bulgaria, and an important economic, cultural and educational center. 7. Byblos, Lebanon A house stands near an archaeological site in Byblos. (Photo: Darya Jukova /flickr) Though there's evidence of settlement as far back as 7,000 years ago, Byblos has been a continuous city for about 5,000 years. According to the ancient writer Philo of Byblos, the city had a reputation in antiquity of being the oldest city in the world. Interestingly, the English word for "Bible" is derived from "Byblos," because it was through Byblos that papyrus was imported to Greece. 8. Sidon, Lebanon Sidon's location on the coast of Lebanon has been key to the city's history.

(Photo: eutrophication&hypoxia /flickr) Inhabited for at least the last 6,000 years, Sidon was one of the most important Phoenician cities because of its location as a crucial port on the Mediterranean. This locale also led to the city being conquered by a revolving door of the world's great empires, including the Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Ottomans. Today about 200,000 people call Sidon home. 9. Rayy, Iran Rayy has a wealth of historical monuments, including the Cheshmeh-Ali hill. (Photo: Ensie & Matthias /flickr) Located within the Greater Tehran metropolitan area, Rayy (or Rey), Iran, has evidence of habitation dating back 8,000 years, though it has likely been continuously occupied for about 5,000 or 6,000 years. The city retains a wealth of historical monuments, such as the 5,000-year-old Cheshmeh Ali hill and the 3,000-year-old Gebri castle. It was a deeply sacred city to the Zoroastrians. 10.

Jerusalem Jerusalem is home to a number of spiritual and religious sites. (Photo: Renata Sedmakova/Shutterstock) Jerusalem is one of several cities to have sprung up between 4,000 and 5,000 years ago in the thriving Levant region, but it holds a unique place in history as the nexus of several of the world's great religions. For that reason, it is home to a wealth of spiritual and religious sites. Unfortunately, Jerusalem's Old City has also been added to the list of World Heritage Sites in danger due to modern-day urban development, tourism and cultural turmoil. 11. Luoyang, China Luoyang is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Asia. (Photo: pavel dudek/Shutterstock) A number of ancient cities were first being built around 4,000 years ago in the Mideast and Europe, but Luoyang stands out from that time period as the oldest continuously inhabited city in Asia. Located on China's central plain, Luoyang is the oldest city in the country and one of the Seven Great Ancient Capitals of China. It has been in habitation since Neolithic times, with a continuous habitation for at least 4,000 years.

Located at the intersection of the Luo and Yi rivers, the city was considered to be the geographical center of ancient China. 12. Varanasi, India Varanasi is the oldest city in India and is the holiest city in the world for Hindus. (Photo: Ken Wieland /Wikimedia Commons) According to Hindu legend, Varanasi is more than 5,000 years old and is considered the oldest city in the world, though evidence of habitation only goes back about 3,000 years , according to the BBC. This more modest date indicates Varanasi is among many ancient cities to appear around the first millennium B.C., and it is still the oldest city in India and is considered the holiest city in the world to Hindus. Its location on the banks of the sacred Ganges River also contributes to its prestige as an important site of pilgrimage. This story was first published in 2014 and has been updated with more recent information. Related on MNN: The world's longest highways - Road Traffic Technology Interstate 80 passes through 11 states in the US.

The world's longest highways The majority of the world's 10 longest highways are located in the US, including the world's longest - the Pan American Highway - which spans a whopping 48,000km. Roadtraffic-technology.com lists the 10 longest highways in the world by total length. Pan American Highway The Pan American Highway, which encompasses the entire US interstate highway system, is the world's longest highway covering a length of approximately 48,000km. Made up of interconnecting highways, it connects more than 20 countries in the Americas, except for a 100km gap halfway, located between Panama and Colombia, known as the Darién Gap. The highway project was conceived in 1923 and stretches from Buenos Aries in South America to Edmonton in North America. The first portion of the highway was completed by Mexico in 1950. Mexico solely built and financed the portions of the highway extending through the country, while the sections through the smaller Central American countries were constructed with assistance from the US. Related Suppliers: Highway Infrastructure, Construction and Maintenance Highway 1, Australia Highway 1 in Australia is the world's second longest highway and the longest national highway.

It covers 14,500km, comprising of interconnected highways. Highway 1 was inscribed as a national highway in 1955. It is comprised of both single and multilane roads. The route touches all the existing states in Australia, except Brisbane and Darwin, which are not directly connected. The highway shares the majority of its route with the Australian National Highway. The original route of Highway 1 proposed in 1955 was realigned in 1959, 1974 and 1998. The highway carries more than a million people a day. Trans-Siberian Highway The 11,000km long Trans-Siberian Highway is the world's third longest highway. It stretches from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok in Russia. The section of the route spanning the Asian Highway Network is called the AH6. The highway comprises of seven federal highways along the stretch, where it coincides with European route E30 and passes through Kazakhstan.

The longest section of the entire highway is the Russian route M58 or the Amur Highway, a federal highway in Russia, stretching 2,100km from Chita to Khabarovsk. Trans-Canada Highway The Trans-Canada Highway, with a current overall length of approximately 7,821km, is the fourth longest highway in the world and the second longest national highway. The highway's construction commenced in 1950 and inauguration was held in 1962, although paving and other construction works continued until 1971. Total investment reached around $1bn. The highway extends east-west from Victoria in British Columbia to St. John's City in Newfoundland and Labrador. It passes through all 10 Canadian provinces and links all major cities in the country. Golden Quadrilateral Highway Network, India Comprising of a network of highways, connecting the four major Indian cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, the Golden Quadrilateral is the fifth longest highway in the world. Planning work for the 5,846km long highway was completed in 1999, construction commenced in 2001 and the highway was completed in January 2012.

The highway was constructed with an investment of INR 600bn ($9.2bn) and is maintained by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways. The highway features four to six lanes along the entire route. It was constructed in four sections, each awarded to different contractors. China National Highway 010 China National Highway 010, also known as Tongsan Expressway, is 5,700km long, ranking as the sixth longest highway in the world. It is also the longest China National Highway. The highway extends from Tongjiang City in eastern Heilongjiang Province to Sanya in Hainan Province. It is one of the five north-south highways and the seventh east-west highway in China. It passes through provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shandong, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong. It has a missing link, caused by the Qiongzhou Strait at Hai'an in Guangdong, where cars are ferried across by trains to Haikou in Hainan, before ending in Sanya.

US Route 20 US Route 20, which stretches 5,415km in an east-west direction from Boston, Massachusetts, to Newport, Oregon, is the seventh longest highway in the world and the longest road in the US. The highway was commissioned in 1926 and was extended in 1940. It crosses nine US states and is split into two by Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park. The original US Route 20 ended at the Yellowstone National Park prior to its extension in 1940. The highway's western section intersects with US 101, while its eastern section runs parallel to the easternmost 138-mile (222km) stretch of Interstate 90 known as Massachusetts Turnpike. US Route 6 US Route 6, also known as Grand Army of the Republic Highway, stretches from Bishop, California, to Provincetown, Massachusetts. Stretching 5,158km, it is the eighth longest highway in the world, and the second-longest highway and longest continuous highway in the US. The highway previously stretched from Bishop to Long Beach, California, and was considered as a transcontinental route until 1964.

It was also originally called Roosevelt Highway in the 1920s and 30s and then the Midland Trail Roadway, before it was officially designated by the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) who adopted the US numbering system for marking the Nation's main Interstate highways. Interstate 90 (I-90), US Interstate 90 (I-90) runs from Boston, Massachusetts, to Seattle, Washington. The highway is 4,860.2km long ranking as the ninth longest highway in the world and the longest Interstate Highway in the US. The highway runs parallel to the US Route 20 for the most part and passing through 13 states. The I-90's construction commenced in the 1950s. The entire highway was completed in 1985 and incorporated existing roads for a major part of its route. The interstate highway runs through two of the longest floating bridges, Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge and the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge, spanning Lake Washington from Seattle to Mercer Island.

Related suppliers: Bridge Building, Maintenance and Management Interstate 80 (I-80), US Interstate 80 (I-80), also known as Christopher Columbus Highway in certain parts along its route, is a 4,666km long highway making it the 10th longest highway in the world and second longest interstate highway in the US. The highway begins at an interchange with U.S. Route 101 in San Francisco, California, and ends at New Jersey, where it stretches for 68km, called the Bergen-Passaic Expressway. It passes through 11 states in the US. The longest continuous stretch of the I-80 is in Nebraska, extending approximately 116km between Exit 318 in the Grand Island area and mile marker 390 near Lincoln, Nebraska. It is also the longest stretch in the entire Interstate Highway System in the US.

Related content I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project, Southern California, US The I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project is a highway widening development being undertaken by California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in collaboration with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), for its owner Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA). The total investment on the project is expected to reach $1.03bn.

Question: What is the longest continuous footpath in the world - it is in the USA?
Answer: THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL